Manchester City suffered from deja vu as Luis Suarez’s double gave Barcelona a 2-1 first leg lead in a Champions League last 16 tie at the Etihad although Lionel Messi’s late penalty miss left the door ajar on Tuesday.
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In a repeat of last season’s round of 16 first leg at the Etihad, Barcelona were too slick for the hosts in a mesmerising opening period with Uruguay forward Suarez firing them in front in the 16th minute and doubling the lead after half an hour.
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Sergio Aguero rewarded City for a vastly improved second half showing with a clinical strike 20 minutes from time.
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But with City down to 10 men after Gael Clichy’s red card for a second booking, the majestic Messi had the chance to restore Barcelona’s two-goal lead but his penalty was saved by Joe Hart and the Argentine headed the rebound wide.
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“We are very happy with the result and even if it was 3-1 the tie would still be open,” Barca coach Luis Enrique said.
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City midfielder Samir Nasri said in the build-up that while Messi played football from a different galaxy, the rest of Barca’s squad shared the same planet as City’s.
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It did not look like it in a horribly one-sided first half in which Barcelona’s entire ensemble were light years ahead in speed and movement.
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Messi, rejuvenated since his reported spat with manager Luis Enrique at the start of the year, was at the heart of Barca’s rapier thrusts.
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